How does Specter's switch effect his Senate Committee positions?

[stlsaxman]

With Arlen Specter switching to our side- what effect does that have on his ranking membership on Committees in lieu of Senatorial Hearings?

He was ranking Republican on one or two committees, no? What now? If there are to be investigations....

:shrug:

[BlooInBloo]

1. Here ya go...

http://www.americablog.com/2009/04/get-ready-for-gop-to-go-all-out-on.html

And the kos link in the post there, too.

[tritsofme]

6. Its probably in the GOP's interest to stall a new organizing resolution until 2011.

While they do lose a Republican on every committee that Specter sits, they stand to lose seats on all committees since Democrats control 60 seats.

There were some races still up in the air when the organizing resolution passed in January, and with 60 seats, the partisan balance deserves to be more favorable to Democrats.

[RB TexLa]

2. Since he was in a position of having to switch or lose his primary I can't see him

having a great bargaining position on committee rankings. I don't know which ones he serves on but the one or ones where his votes are most favorable to Democrats is where Reid will give him the most.


His view is obvious, much better to be a senator and lose ranking on committees than to not be a senator at all.

[stlsaxman]

3. Franken will be a "freshman"... certainly Specter wouldn't be, correct?

[Occam Bandage]

4. The Dems offered him two incentives:

1. The DSCC will not finance a primary challenger, and
2. Specter will get to keep his seniority.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

5. Pretty damn self serving of him

I expect that we will not win reelection.

[Occam Bandage]

7. You kidding? He'll wipe the floor with Toomey.

Toomey's only popular among the teabag set; PA would have been one of the easiest races in the country if Specter would have lost. The only way the Dems have a chance of losing now is if Specter loses in a primary, then runs as an independent. Even still, I'd put money on the Dems beating Specter; he'd be a man without a party, without allies, and without donors.

[tritsofme]

8. I believe that PA has a "no sore-loser law"

Which precludes a person from running under a different party ticket after losing the primary.

I'm sure this weighed on his decision not to meet Toomey in the primary, but instead easily defeat him in the GE.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

10. What about Sestak?

[Canuckistanian]

9. Don't the rules allow them to appoint NEW ranking members?

Otherwise, I could understand if the Republicans had a beef with such a situation.

[Muttocracy]

11. Specter is 12th most senior senator overall, will be 8th among Dems.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_seniority#Current_seniority_list

these are his current committees

As a Republican, Specter held the following committee assignments:

* Committee on Appropriations
o Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
o Subcommittee on Defense
o Subcommittee on Homeland Security
o Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
o Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
o Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
* Committee on Environment and Public Works
o Subcommittee on Children's Health
o Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health
o Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
* Committee on the Judiciary
o Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights
o Subcommittee on the Constitution
o Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs
* Committee on Veterans' Affairs
* Special Committee on Aging

[stlsaxman]

12. Thank Mutt- yeah he's on some MAJOR committees.... Judiciary even!

Appropriations and Environment as well as others.

[Muttocracy]

13. He was ranking minority member on Judiciary. Part of how he and Biden know each other well. nt